Monday, February 28, 2011

STOP THIS WANTON DESTRUCTION

We are really shocked to read the contents of Directorate's letter No. 40-06/2010/Plg dated 25.01.2011 addressed to all CPMGs/PMGs wherein it is directed to complete the process of closure/merger/relocation of about 9797 Post offices functioning at present in Urban areas on the plea that they do not conform with the distance condition prescribed by the Directorate for opening of new Post offices.The total number of Departmental Post Offices as on 31.03.2010 is 27360.Closure of 9797 Post offices means reduction of about 36% of the existing Postal network.We cannot accept the argument put forward by the Department justifying such mass-scale closure/merger/relocation.We are at a loss to understand why our Department is resorting to such mass-scale closures, when all other private couriers and companies are competing to canvass our customer by opening more and more outlets in the urban areas for extending their services to the doorstep of the customer.We fear that in the name of rationalization and optimization, our department is giving more space for the private companies to occupy more share in the mail market segment.We have already made it clear that we are not against relocation of offices to the needy areas.Large scale closure of Post offices and RMS offices will not only lead to inconvenience to the public leading to discontentment but also adversely affect the interest of the employees.Further this is nothing but abrupt violation of strike agreement made on 12.07.2010 in which it was categorically assured that there will be no closure/merger of Post offices.We strongly protest against such unilateral closure/merger of offices.

We have already pointed out the adverse impact of the introduction of speed post hubs without taking into account the ground realities.The experience for the last six months has proved that the speed post hubs had resulted in abnormal delay in transmission and delivery of speed post articles and thereby in eroding the faith of the general public in the speed post system itself.We have already requested the Department to review the functioning of the speed post hubs and take remedial measures or to revert to the old system.We regret to note that the staff side has been totally sidelined and the department is blindly going ahead with unscientific proposals of the multinational consultancy called Mckensy.Much damage has been done and it is high time that a thorough review be conducted for removing the deficiencies by rolling back to the old scheme.A damage control exercise to regain the lost faith of the customer is the need of the hour.

The new Recruitment rules for the Postmen notified recently by the Department states that direct recruitment from open market is to be resorted to for filling up 25% Postmen vacancies. This clause virtually snatches away the right of the Gramin Dak Sevaks to get appointed against 50% of the Postmen vacancies hitherto ear-marked for GDS employees.Further unilateral orders have been issued restricting the compassionate appointment of GDS to 10% of the vacancies, tightening of norms for cash handling and stamp sale etc.Further the discrimination in payment of bonus to GDS still continues.

In spite of the assurance given by the Secretary, Department of Posts on 12.07.2010, many issues mentioned in the 13th July strike Charter of demands and also in the minutes of the JCM Departmental council meeting held on 27.08.2010 still remains unsettled.The issues relating to the Postmen staff such as fixing of minimum and maximum distance to be traversed are yet to be resolved.The issue of cadre review, even though assured to be completed before November 2010, is still in the initial stage and formal discussion is delayed indefinitely.

The Department is going ahead with the proposal for decentralization of postal Accounts work in the name of accrual based accounting system.Similarly move is on for decentralization of PLI/RPLI work.Induction of new technology in accounting and providing online facilities at post offices shall lead to centralization and not decentralization.We oppose decentralization of the above mentioned work.

The revision of wages of the causal, part-time contingent employees with effect from 01.01.2006 is pending for the last three years.Even the eligible DA is denied in many circles.Further the work done hitherto by the casual, part time and contingent employees are indiscriminately outsourced and large scale reduction in the wages are ordered.All this has resulted in making the life of the poor, low paid employees more miserable.It is high time that justice is done to this most downtrodden and marginalized section of employees of the Postal department.

All the above issues are agitating the minds of the Postal and RMS employees and resentment among them is mounting day-by-day.The releasing of the orders for closure of large scale post offices has further aggravated the situation.Unless the Department comes forward to discuss the above issues with the Staff side for an amicable settlement, the situation may go from bad to worse.

We appeal to the Govt. of India and Secretary, Department of Posts to desist from the move to implement the retrograde orders mentioned above and also to keep the orders in abeyance, failing which we will be compelled to resort to trade union action including indefinite strike.We earnestly want to avoid such an unpleasant situation as it may adversely affect the efficiency and productivity of the Postal Services and may put the public also to inconvenience.

We hope that the Department will come forward for the negotiated settlement of the issues mentioned above and take the staff side also into confidence, so that the peace, tranquillity and the better relationship between the staff side and administration shall remain unaffected.Or else, confrontation shall become inevitable as we cannot take the onslaughts laying down.When driven to the wall we have no option but to hit back with all the forces at our command.Be prepared to face such contingency if situation warrants.Get ready for a total indefinite strike.

As indicated in our circular letter No.3, we give hereunder the decisions taken on each of the items discussed at the National Anomaly Committee meeting held on 15th Feb. 2011.

With greetings,Yours fraternally

K.K.N. Kutty Secretary General.

Item No.11.

The Staff side has agreed to specify the items of allowance which requires to be given effect to from 1.1.2006.

Item No.12. & 13. Revision of Transport allowance:

The Staff side is to give a comparative statement indicating the rate of Transport allowance given to various categories to substantiate their demand for having a uniform rate for all Govt. officials.

Item No.14. Risk and Patient Care allowance to be doubled.

The Government will bring about the Insurance scheme in consultation with the Staff Side within six months. If the scheme is not implemented by that time, these allowances will be doubled.

Item No. 20.

Quantification of daily allowance in case not able to present the bill The Department of Expenditure will examine the issue further in the light of the discussion and will convey their final decision in the next meeting.

Item No. 28.Assigning grade pay in PB 3 for Accounts officers.

This will be discussed with the Staff Side separately.

Item No. 31. Child Care leave:

Revised orders have been issued. The demand of the Staff Side that the discretionary powers to grant or otherwise or restrict the number of days presently given to the authorities must be dispensed with will be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.

Item No. 37.Waiver of recovery of higher DA drawing between 1.1.2006 and 1.08.2008.

Not agreed to.

Item No. 38 and 39.Anomaly in fixation of Grade Pay and Pay Bands:

will be further discussed at the next meeting.

Item No. 40.Grant of Notional increment for those who retire in June.

Not accepted.

Item No.41.Grant of promotional increment for those promoted in the same PB and Grade Pay.

The Official side stated that to decide whether the two grades have distinct functions is the prerogative of the concerned Ministry/Department. If they so decide, the promotional increment would be granted. But in that case, the same will be treated as a promotion and will count as such for the purpose of MACP.

Item No. 42. MACP issue.

The same will be discussed in the sub committee once again.

Item No.43. Anomaly in HAG scale of pay:

Not discussed being a Group A issue. But the issue has been reported to have been settled and orders issued.

Item No. 44. Anomaly in Library Information Assistant:Will be further discussed at the next meeting

Item No. 45.Anomaly in fixation of pension for those in receipt of stagnation increment/In the light of the court judgment, the item will be discussed further in the next meeting.

The demand for grant of grade pay of Rs. 4600 for those in the pay scale of 6500-10,500 has already been settled and orders issues. The question of Grant of Grade pay of Rs. 5400 after completion of three years for those in the pay scale of 7500-12000 will be examined if not already extended.

Item No. 48. Restoration of commutation value of pension after 12 years.

Not agreed upon. The Staff side has asked for the basis on which the demand has been rejected.

. Item No. 50/ Disparity in the pay scale of official language staff

The Staff side has agreed to provide a copy of the Court order in the matter. Item No. 52 and 53. Andaman Nicobar Items:

The Official side will report in the next meeting of the development on these issues.

Under the provisions of Rule 195 of the Indian Post Office Rules , 1933 'Certificate of Posting' is granted to the public to afford an assurance that letters and other articles for which no receipts are granted by the Post Office and entrusted to servants or messengers for posting have actually been posted.

It has since been decided that' Certificate of Posting' may be discontinued immediately.

A copy of Gazette Notification No. 58(E) dated 31.1.2011 deleting rule 195 of the Indian Post Office Rules, 1933 regarding 'Certificate of Posting' is enclosed for information and necessary action.

This may kindly be brought to the notice of all concerned for strict compliance.

The receipt of this communication may also be acknowledged.

Sd/-

(NIRAJ KUMAR)

Director (PO&I)

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(DEPARTMENT OF POSTS)

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 31st January, 2011

GSR.58(E)- In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (d) of sub-section (2) of Section 21 read with section 74 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898 (6 of 1898), the Central Governmenthereby makes the following rules further to amend the Indian Post Office Rules, 1933, namely:-

1.(1) These rules may be called the Indian Post Office (Third Amendment) Rules, 2011.

(2)They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2.In the Indian Post Office Rules, 1933, in part VIII relating to "General Rules", the heading "III-Certificate of Posting "and rule 195 shall be omitted.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Com. P. Rajeev, Member Parliament and also Standing Committee Member of Communication & I.T. has raised the issue of mass scale closure of posts offices with Sh. Sachin Pilot, State Minister for Communication and I.T. on 25.02.2011. Minister has agreed to intervene.

Postal JCA is also proposing to conduct immediate agitational programmes culminating to indefinite strike in the event of non drop of unilateral mass closure move of post offices.

Kindly refer to this office letter of even number dated 17.5.2010 on the subject mentioned above calling for views/suggestions from circles regarding need for rationalization and consolidation for urban network, road map to be followed and time frame within which the exercise should be completed,. Almost all the Circles have unanimously favoured the need for rationalization.

2.Due to historical reasons, a major portion of urban postal network lies in the inner city areas consisting of single/double handed non delivery Sub Offices which are not in conformity with the distance criteria of location of post offices. The outer and recently developed areas, however, suffer from lack of even the basic postal facilities in most of the towns/cities. There are also requests for providing postal services in various urban agglomerations, SEZ areas, professional colleges etc. which may also be a profitable activity of the Department .However, due to non-availability of resources, the Department is not able to meet such request.

3.While the entire rural network is subsidized, Post Offices in urban areas are expected to be initially self supporting, and should earn profit of at least 5% at the time of the First annual review , to be eligible for further retention. Despite this, as on 31.3.2010,as many as 5531 SOs in urban areas are reported to be incurring losses.

4.Further, as per the prescribed criteria, the minimum distance between two post offices should be 1.5 Km in cities with a population of 2 lakhs and above, and 2 Km in other urban Areas. No two delivery offices should however be closer than 5 Km from each other. Moreover, a delivery post office in urban area should have a minimum of 7 Postman beats. These norms have not been followed in many cases.

5.Our existing urban network consists of 15797 Post Offices comprising mainly of HOs and SOs.Urban expansion of the country is currently estimated to be 77370sq.kms. As per the prevalent distance norms, this area justifies only about 6000 Post Offices in urban area. This analysis suggests that we have 9797 Pos Offices in urban areas that do not conform to the prescribed norms. This situation warrants need for corrective measures.

6.Need for rationalization of urban network was appreciated by the Department as early as in the year 2003 which led to issuing elaborate instructions to Circles vide D.O. letter No. 40-4/2002-Plg dated 6.1.2003 for relocation/merger of single / double handed post offices. Resultantly, 1262 post offices have been merged/relocated throughout the country. It is however felt that the pace of relocation of post offices is not satisfactory and we are losing out on various business opportunities and the people in outer areas of urban settlements are deprived of the postal services. On the other hand, the Government is not allowing us to further expand our network by creation of new posts not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. Successive Plan Periods have witnessed opening of Post Office by redeployment of posts only without any new creation.

7.For rationalization of postal network in urban areas by way of relocation of Post Offices in new areas and creation of bigger Post Offices by merger of single /double handed Post Offices as per stipulated distance and other norms, the Circles should keep the following into consideration:

(i)There are some Post Offices which are loss making due to high rentals e.g. Post Offices at Railway Stations, important bus terminals, airports etc. We may however not relocate them due to their strategic importance, convenience they offer to the people and high number of footfalls they attract.

(ii)While assessing the need for postal facilities we should have close liaison with local bodies like Municipal Corporation/Municipal Committees, Town Area Committees etc. so that we can be aware of their future plans of expansion of cities and we can accordingly formulate our strategies and have a long-term plan for extending our network in such areas. Regular coordination meetings may be prescribed with such bodies at appropriate levels.

(iii)Post Offices which have been covered under Project Arrow/Post Offices functioning in departmental buildings should not be earmarked for relocation. If there are other Post offices in their vicinity the same may be considered for relocation.

(iv)Post Offices paying high rentals, having low volume of transactions and running in losses should be considered for relocation/temporary merger/permanent merger.

(v)Distance from the nearest post office and the business being transacted should be the main criteria for relocation. Merger of Post Offices.

(vi)In addition to relocating post offices from one area to another, we can also create bigger Post Offices, not below the rank of LSG Offices, by merger of several smaller scattered Post Offices. The bigger Post Offices will be well equipped to cater to the latest postal facilities like IMO,eMO,Videsh MO, IMTS etc. These newly created Post Offices will be manned by redeployment of staff/posts from the nearby post offices.

(vii)It may also be considered to reduce the number of delivery Post Offices, which may lead to obviating the need for the nodal delivery system for Speed Post articles as it is not providing to be cost effective. In any case there is a need to strictly follow the norms of the distance of at least 5 KMs between two delivery offices and also that of delivery Post Office in Urban area having a minimum of 7 Postman beats.

(viii)If opening of a post office is justified in an area, but it is not possible to open post office by relocation or under the Plan targets, opening of franchise outlets may be considered for such area.

8.In, view of the above, Circles are requested to take the following action:

(i)Identification of Post Offices which are at lesser distances than that prescribed under norms. In case, more than one Post Offices are not fulfilling the distance norms, Post Office (s) may be earmarked for relocation on the basis of :

(a)Condition of building

(b)Profitability of Post Office

(c)Business of Post Office

(ii)PMsG/CPMsG will interact with all the stakeholders and convince them that relocation and merger would help in providing postal facilities to public and it is in larger public interest.

(iii)Identity needy urban and rural areas where there is justification for new Post Offices.

(iv)Post Offices once indentified as per (i) above, will be relocated /mergedThis will outside the Plan targets.

9.Circles are requested to complete the exercise in respect of sub para (i),(ii)and (iii) {of para 8) by 31.03.2011 and in respect of sub para(iv){para 8} by 30.06.2011. Circles are also requested to send monthly progress reports of action taken, to this Directorate(proforma enclosed).

10.Since the need for opening of Post Offices in new locations seems to be ever increasing , Circles are also requested to open Post Offices by redeployment of posts/staff from the existing office(s), by curtailing staff strength of the existing offices even to less than the justified workload of the office/offices. This exercise would, however, be subject to Plan targets set by the Directorate. The powers for redeployment of Group 'C' and 'D' posts have already been vested with the HoCs vide Directorate letter No. 2-2/93-PE-I dated 7th of Sep, 1993.Under no circumstances should the surplus posts be abolished.

KEY NOTE ADDRESS MADE BY SRI P.K.GOPINATH ,MEMBER (PERSONNEL) POSTAL SERVICES BOARD ,NEW DELHI AS CHIEF GUEST IN THE ALL INDIA SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY NFPE AT THEKKADY(KERALA) ON 14..2..2011

FUTURE OF THE INDIA POST-CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Dear Colleagues,

As you are aware, Department of Posts has embarked upon the ambitious IT Modernisation Programme- 'India Post 2012'with an objective of transforming the Department into a "Technology Enabled" Self Reliant Market Leader" The Programme envisages computerization and net working of all post offices across the country to facilitate prompt and increased service delivery levels.

For the last 150 years, India Post has been the backbone of India's communication and core of the country's socio-economic development, Significant trends such as liberalization and globalisation, urbarnisation, increased demand for financial services , increased funding by government for weaker sections and rural sector, now require India Post to develop new processes and supporting technology.

The Department, at the present juncture, also faces the twin challenges posed by increasing competition and continuing advances in communication technology, especially mobile technology and the World Wide Web. In order to equip itself with modern technology, providing best in class service delivery to customers, identification of new services and business areas and improving operational efficiency, India Post intends to engage in an end to end India Post 2012 project..

The Department has undertaken computerization of Post Offices under two phases in the current plan. Under the 1st Phase approval of Government was obtained in February, 2009 for computerization and networking of all post offices up to double handed level, up gradation of hardware in the post office which were supplied with computers in the 9th Plan, computerization of the administrative officers, setting up of project management unit for managing the IT project etc. So far more than 16000 Post Offices are computerized and provided with connectivity.

Under Phase-II of computerization, the need was felt to create comprehensive solutions for all products and solutions and to create IT infrastructure. The project "INDIA POST 2012' also envisages computerization of all the non-computerized Post Office in the country including GDS Post Offices phased over the financial years 2010-11,2011-12 and 2012-13.

The project has the following components:

●It will establish IT infrastructure of Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre and networking of all Post Offices including Branch Posts Offices in the rural area..

●The project envisages development of integrated modular scalable applications for mail, banking, postal life insurance and solutions for accounts and HR operations of the Department.

●The rural post offices will be provided with rural ICT devices with required applications for performing postal, banking, insurance, retail operations can connect to the central server in

on line/offline mode.

●Provision for training , changes management, capacity building of the employees of the department along with setting up of the Project Management Units at Department, Circle, Region and Division levels for smooth and timely implementation of the project.

Project management and implementation follows a 4-tier structure:

●Department Level PMU

●Circle Level PMU(22)

●Region Level PMU(37)

●Division Level PMU(511) (Including RMS Divisions)

The RFPs are under process to select the vendors who will help the Department in development of the software and establishing the IT infrastructure .All single handed Pos are proposed to be computerized this year.

This programme will deliver benefits across multiple dimensions like:

100% of our post offices will be computerized or connected

There will be a radical increase in access to financial protection in rural in rural area (e.g. Rural post life insurance).

There will be a significant enhancement in revenue growth.

Multitude of products will be improved and new products will be launched (e.g.egovernace, Rural ICT)

The rural customer experience shall be re-engineered.

Our service delivery levels will increase substantially.

This programme will benefit the employees of India Post in various ways too:

Employees will have an opportunity to learn, build and enhance new skills and expertise.

There will be a reduction in manual and enhanced productively level.

Employees will be able to deliver enhanced IT enabled services to their customers leading to a significant reduction in customer complaints.

This programme will help in improving employees engagement and empowerment.

Will give the employees and opportunity to work in an innovation based culture.

Lastly but not the least India Post employees will be proud to be part of a growing and vibrant organization.

As you are aware, India Post has a large employee base, spread across the country. The changes will impact all operational units of the network, in a number of operations and administrative units with new management system. The Circles, Regions, Divisions and Post Offices will be dealing with implementation of multiple solutions. Major and medium size post offices will be implementing a number of solutions. The accounting and administrative units will be involved in new management systems. The change leadership has to be very high across organization and levels to handle these multiple changessimpacting almost allmajor cadre of the organization. Therefore, it will be necessary to engage employees from all levels to induct the changes.

Following issues assume importance:

●Capacity building-Existing capacity redeployment and additional capacity building is an important component.

●The existing training infrastructure will need to be augmented to cope with the skilling and deskilling activities.

●Computer literacy at all levels will need to be ensured particularly the GDSs.

●Modernisation and Investment in Customer facing solutions will demand commutation, education and support services. In addition the customer facing workforce will need to be knowledgeableabout products and should have very strong customer facing skills.

●Ongoing performance support and training.

The Department proposes to run a massive Change management plan to meet these challenges.

Your role is critical to the success of this Programme and we look forward to your fullest cooperation. We look forward to your continued support participation to make this a success.

2. Para 2 (ii) of this Directorate letter dated 14th July 2009 provided that the vacant posts of GDs in branch offices with two or more hands may be filled up on the basis of triennial review already carried out and in case the prescribed workload and financial parameters as prescribed for opening of a branch office are not fulfilled but the posts are required to be filled up for operational reasons then the approval of the Chief PMG will be required with concurrence of circle IFA. It was also provided in Para 2(i) of the said communication, that GDS vacant posts in BOs with a single establishment be filled up straight away and the permission was granted to the concerned Divisional head.

3. The above provisions were further reviewed and modified. It was prescribed vide this Directorate letter dated 29 Dec 2010 that the vacant posts of GD BPM may be filled up by adjusting the surplus GDS fulfilling the prescribed qualification and other prescribed conditions failing which action may be taken in advance to fill the vacant post of GDs BPM on a regular basis following the prescribed procedure and following other conditions prescribed under letter dated 4 Jul 2009.

4. Despite issue of above instructions, it has been brought to the notice of this office, that, the Posts of Branch Postmasters are not being filled up immediately, and they are allowed to be managed by additional charge or kept under combined duties, affecting the quality of service. The issue has been considered and competent Authority has decided that the vacant post of GDs BPMs, in Branch offices (irrespective of the number borne on establishment) be filled up by Head of the Division without reference to HOC immediately after its falling vacant initiating action in advance by adopting the following methods: -

(ii)By combination of the duties of GDS in the same BO, provide the combined work load does not exceed five hours: failing which

(iii)By recruitment of outsiders by observing the selection process.

However, the approval of the Head of the Circle shall continue to be obtained for filling up of other categories of GDS which are not justified by workload/financial parameter, but the post is to be filled dup for operational reasons.

4. These orders shall come into effect from the date of issue of the order. This issues with the approval of competent authority.

Sub:Postmaster cadre Postal Wing-Eligibility of Official deputed to Army Postal Service (APS)

Sir,

I am directed to refer to your office letter No. 90491/2/APS 1 C, dated 23.12.2010 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the objective behind creation of Postmaster Cadres is that the key post offices in the country should be headed by professional managers so as to improve the functioning of the Post Offices, meet the present day requirement of specialization in Postal operation, respond to market challenges and increase the productivity. As per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules (Copy enclosed) ,initial constitution of the various Grades of Postmasters shall be done by inviting options/applications from the existing incumbents of LSG,HSG-II,HSG-I in Post Offices and PS Gr. 'B' and subsequent years ,all the vacancies in Postmaster Grade I and 75%vacancies of Senior Postmaster shall be filled up through a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.

2.In case an official deputed to Army Postal Service (APS), gives his option to his respective Circle for appointment as Postmaster at the time of initial constitution of Postmaster Cadre, a declaration/undertaking may be obtained from him to the effect that in the event of his selection he will revert from deputation in APS in order to be appointed in the respective Postmaster Grades. Unless he reports back to the Circle on his selection, he will not be appointed as Postmaster. In so far as Departmental Examination for the post of Postmaster Grade-I and Senior Postmaster also, eligible officials will have to furnish declaration/undertaking at the time of submission of application for the examination to the effect that they will revert from the deputation with APS in the event of their selection in the examination. On their selection, they will have to report back to the respective Circles before they are appointed as Postmaster.